"He's a known team guy, with characteristics that we're making an emphasis on placing (sic). Obviously he's got a lot of talent, and he performed exceptionally well against left-handed pitching, but the fact that he has that reputation around the game, and we're looking forward to adding a greater number of [that type] in our clubhouse, with an overall emphasis that this is a team."

Asked if he viewed Gomes as an every-day player or part of a platoon, Farrell said: "We'll probably take a look at matchups as we get into that, but to say he's strictly a platoon player I don't think we're saying that. He'll have an opportunity to earn the highest number of at-bats he can. We certainly don't want to limit him in any way."

On whether Gomes' defensive liabilities will impact how much he plays, Farrell said: "Until seeing him more regularly in spring training, I don't know that I can say how that might affect the lineup, might affect certain situations late in a game with a lead. I know one thing: Talking to Jonny, it's very apparent he's going to work to great lengths to address any limitations he may have, whether it's offensively, defensively. That's the type of guy he is, and has contributed to a winning cause in the places he has played."